How Video Evidence Strengthens or Weakens DUI Investigations
Overview
Video evidence plays a central role in modern DUI litigation. When examined properly, bodycam and dashcam footage often reveals inconsistencies, procedural issues, and contextual factors that written reports cannot capture. Attorneys rely on this visual documentation to understand the true sequence of events, assess officer articulation, and evaluate the reliability of impairment indicators.
As a DUI and collision consultant based in Arlington, WA, Zach Marshall provides detailed video analysis for defense attorneys throughout the West Coast and nationwide. Zachary Marshall approaches each review with a structured, technical method that clarifies where video supports the officer’s conclusion and where it contradicts key elements of the investigation.
Why Video Evidence Matters
Video often becomes the most objective piece of evidence in a DUI case. It captures:
Subject behavior
SFST performance
Officer tone and instructions
Environmental conditions
Timing and sequencing
Opportunities for error
Context missing from written articulation
Attorneys depend on video because it reduces uncertainty and exposes investigative assumptions that may not hold up under scrutiny.
Video Versus Written Documentation
A common issue in DUI investigations is the gap between what is written and what the camera shows. Zach reviews:
Whether claimed clues appear on video
Whether the officer’s instructions match NHTSA standards
Whether the subject actually performed poorly
Differences in recorded time versus reported time
What the officer focused on versus what is visible
Moments where the narrative overstates or omits details
These comparison points often become key leverage in negotiations and suppression hearings.
Bodycam Quality and Officer Positioning
Camera placement affects what can be reliably observed. Zachary examines:
Whether the field of view shows subject feet and balance
How often the officer obstructs the camera
Whether the subject is fully in frame during SFSTs
Lighting and visibility issues
Angles that distort performance or mask clues
Poor camera positioning can weaken the reliability of any conclusions drawn from the footage.
SFST Performance on Video
Video allows attorneys to see how the subject actually performed on standardized tests. Zach evaluates:
Walk and Turn step quality
Instruction stance compliance
Pace, rhythm, and stability
One Leg Stand timing accuracy
Subject comprehension of instructions
Any external distractions
Environmental and surface conditions
These observations frequently differ from what is written in the report.
Officer Communication and Instruction Clarity
Video shows whether instructions were:
Clear
Consistent
Accurate
Understandable
Delivered without rushing
Zach reviews tone, clarity, pacing, and whether the officer demonstrated the tests properly. Confusing or incomplete instructions often explain performance that appears poor on paper but reasonable in context.
Timeline Integrity
Video is critical for reconstructing the true timeline of the investigation. Zach analyzes:
When observations occur
How long each phase takes
Whether delays are documented
Whether probable cause developed logically
The sequence of commands and actions
Timeline discrepancies identified on video can directly affect probable cause arguments.
Environmental and Subject-Specific Considerations
Video shows elements that written reports frequently overlook:
Footwear issues
Cold conditions
Surface slope
Traffic noise
Anxiety or medical limitations
Distraction from pedestrians or vehicles
These contextual factors help explain performance without relying on impairment.
Why Attorneys Rely on Zach’s Video Analysis
Attorneys turn to Zachary Marshall because his evaluation process is consistent, structured, and built for litigation. His video reviews provide:
Objective analysis that strengthens cross examination
Identification of procedural flaws
Clarification of actual subject performance
Insight into whether the officer’s narrative aligns with evidence
Clear summaries that fit directly into motions, hearings, and trial themes
This type of analysis often becomes the deciding factor in how a case proceeds.
Contact
For video analysis, DUI evaluation, or collision related consultation, contact:
Zachary Marshall
Founder and Lead Consultant
Legal Limit Consulting, LLC
Arlington, Washington
Phone: (425) 224 5149
Email: Z.Marshall@LegalLimitConsulting.com
Website: www.LegalLimitConsulting.com
